Philadelphia prosecutors have announced they will no longer seek the death penalty for the political prisoner, Muslim, journalist and former Black Panther Mumia Abu-Jamal. For over three decades, Abu-Jamal and his supporters' have argued that racism by the trial judge and prosecutors led to his 1982 conviction of killing Philadelphia police officer Daniel Faulkner. Two years ago, the Third U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with a lower judge who set aside Abu-Jamal’s death sentence after finding jurors were intentionally given confusing instructions that encouraged them to choose death rather than a life sentence. The U.S. Supreme Court then ordered the court to re-examine the decision. In April, that ruling was upheld, and prosecutors had to determine whether Abu-Jamal would get a new sentencing hearing in court before a new jury. On Wednesday, Philadelphia prosecutor Seth Williams said he opted for a life sentence rather than face more lengthy appeals. Pennsylvania law now requires Abu-Jamal to be sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. The Muslim Street is calling for the immediately relase of Abu-Jamaal with regards to the massive lying, tampering with state evidence and racial overtone of the judicial system.
